David Spinks, author of The Business of Belonging, discusses the evolution of community movements, making users feel part of the business, earning user trust, getting a community off the ground, enabling community engagement, dealing with waning excitement, and common traps to watch out for.
Building community is essential for businesses as it creates a sense of connection and belonging for customers, employees, and other stakeholders.
The social identity cycle provides a framework for community building, consisting of three stages: identification, participation, and validation.
Maintaining intimacy and preserving the magic of a growing community requires focusing on the quality of the community experience and creating subgroups or spin-off communities.
Deep dives
Importance of Building Community
Building community is essential for businesses as it creates a sense of connection and belonging for customers, employees, and other stakeholders. It allows businesses to better understand their audience and build trust with them. By empowering community members to contribute and participate, businesses can scale their impact and foster loyalty.
The Social Identity Cycle
The social identity cycle provides a framework for community building. It consists of three stages: identification, participation, and validation. Businesses need to identify their target group and their needs, provide opportunities for participation, and ensure that community members feel valued and validated for their contributions. This cycle reinforces the sense of community and deepens members' identities, leading to increased engagement.
Challenges and Opportunities in Community Building
Building and growing a community can have its challenges. Community builders may face discouragement, especially in the early stages when engagement is low. It is important to keep experimenting, staying committed, and providing value to community members. Empowering others to lead and contribute is crucial for community growth. Additionally, navigating sensitive topics like politics and religion requires careful consideration, but can also foster meaningful conversations if done well.
Scaling Intimacy and Maintaining Magic
As communities grow, maintaining intimacy and preserving the magic can be a challenge. However, it is possible to scale intimacy by focusing on the quality of the community experience. Creating subgroups or spin-off communities can also allow for more specific and focused interactions. It is important to listen to the needs and feedback of the community and adapt accordingly while staying true to the community's mission.
Decentralizing Control and Empowering Others
Decentralizing control and empowering others is crucial for community growth. Creating opportunities for community members to participate, contribute, and provide feedback is key. One-on-one conversations, surveys, and community councils can help build trust and ensure that community members feel heard and valued. Trust and inclusivity are essential in empowering others to take on leadership roles within the community.
David Spinks (@DavidSpinks), author of The Business of Belonging, joins Erik on this episode to discuss:
- The evolution of the different movements in this space, from customer service to customer success to community.
- How to make your users feel like they’re a part of the business.
- His requests for startups in the space.
- How to earn the trust of your users.
- How to get a community off the ground.
- How to enable your community to engage itself.
- What to do when excitement wanes.
- Common traps to watch out for.
Thanks for listening — if you like what you hear, please review us on your favorite podcast platform.
Check us out on the web at www.villageglobal.vc or get in touch with us on Twitter @villageglobal.
Want to get updates from us? Subscribe to get a peek inside the Village. We’ll send you reading recommendations, exclusive event invites, and commentary on the latest happenings in Silicon Valley. www.villageglobal.vc/signup
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
